I've had some experience in this genre. It's been surprisingly drama-free for me. None of my clients who are in what you might loosely call the sex industry has asked to bring an escort. They are used to working alone and/or dealing with men who are not respectful. They can tell if you are focused on getting good photos or just enjoying the view.

If you do your job and respect the girls, you will develop a reputation as someone who can be trusted and that is very helpful. It is also helpful to have a website showing your work.

These women tend to have money, but not large amounts. If you can do a nice shoot for $100 or less you will probably have plenty of clients. As time goes by you will get a better idea of what you can charge. I'd say start low and work your way up if the demand is there. You might also offer multiple options for different budgets.

In my opinion, you only need a release form if you wish to post the photos in your portfolio or sell them. If you plan to do that, you also should take a photo of their ID while they are holding it in front of their face. And you might also have them hold the release form in the picture too.

Never work with anyone under 18. If you have any doubt at all, get a photo of their ID and you can even ask for a second form of ID.

I tend to have either my make up artist(female) or a female assistant with me during shoots.

I'm not a big fan of models bringing boy friends / husbands etc to the shoot as they are usually a distraction to the model especially if they start directing the model!

Good luck and hope it works out for you - just remember to be respectful and professional at all times.

^^^ THIS - Female Assistant = Essential

Hmm....I'm currently in between girlfriends....don't know anyone where I live that is makeup artist...etc.

Again, just me...no studio...just starting....girls are friends of mine who has worked with them as DJ, security, etc....

C

Might not be an issue if you know them well...

practice directing people to adjust their pose without touching by using hand gestures to turn or by mirroring you so you can strike the pose you want and have them mirror that (infact this can cause them to laugh alot and losen up too causing the envirnment to be more relaxed.

as for model release i got the vmrelease iphone ap where you can attach a photo of id and the client with it and get signatures on the phone, works pretty well

Model mayhem is really good for finding models with various amounts of experience as well as make up artists - both of whom will collaborate with you for prints for their portfolios where as some will ask for a payment.

Basic membership is free and allows you to display your pics and have a bio so others know what kind of photography you do.

But also having a 3rd person there, maybe a friend of hers or someone she's comfortable with? At least until you develop a relationship (meaning you know each other, and trust each other with work).

Also stay professional. Concentrate on the work, the lighting, etc. And if things 'rise' up, just ignore it as best as possible, and continue on.

A large portion of "dancers" are going to be involved in narcotics (using and selling), with a good chunk selling themselves on the side. The concern isn't about them being uncomfortable around him...

Before anyone gets on a high horse about girls working themselves through college, sorry, I've arrested way too many to buy into the fairy tales. Coke, meth, and prostitution combined with stealing are reoccurring themes.

That doesn't mean you can't find attractive girls or take decent pictures though, just don't go into it wide eyed like a chump.

OK, I read though this. All good suggestions. I don't have experience with erotic photography per se but I would offer this common sense advice about location...

Strip clubs are a different world. You live in New Orleans, you should already understand that better than most. Whenever you bring strangers to your home, they know where you live. They also know what you own. You become a target for theft, or worse. What if a shoot goes poorly or a perfectly good shoot pisses off a boyfriend or husband. You're screwed. Re-read the law enforcement inspired post above about what habits these people may (or may not) have. These girls live a rough lifestyle. Even if they are trustworthy, someone they know may not be and after hearing about your place, may decide it's a payday.

If you drive a car with a fancy stereo and people know it, it will eventually be broken into. Same goes for your house/apt with a bunch of photo equipment.

I don't care who you know or how nice they are. Other people they know have the potential to cause you grief, loss or harm. If it were me, I would always work on location with a partner (for your safety and theirs). No one on one, always have another person there with you. Meet at another home or hotel room with background equipment and lights. Don't bring a bunch of strangers parading through your home where you live and keep everything you own. It's just a bad idea. You will either arrive back to a trashed home or worse, have someone visit you with bad intentions. (Are you the A$$Hole Pervert that took pictures of my wife naked!!??)

Sorry, some things aren't worth the risk and you don't owe these people any favors. Don't shortcut this, do it right. There's a reason the pro studios actually have studios. With locks and alarms. It sounds like to me you are moving into the business too fast. Figure out how to go to them and then work your way up to a studio as the business grows.

OK, I read though this. All good suggestions. I don't have experience with erotic photography per se but I would offer this common sense advice about location...

Strip clubs are a different world. You live in New Orleans, you should already understand that better than most. Whenever you bring strangers to your home, they know where you live. They also know what you own. You become a target for theft, or worse. What if a shoot goes poorly or a perfectly good shoot pisses off a boyfriend or husband. You're screwed. Re-read the law enforcement inspired post above about what habits these people may (or may not) have. These girls live a rough lifestyle. Even if they are trustworthy, someone they know may not be and after hearing about your place, may decide it's a payday.

If you drive a car with a fancy stereo and people know it, it will eventually be broken into. Same goes for your house/apt with a bunch of photo equipment.

I don't care who you know or how nice they are. Other people they know have the potential to cause you grief, loss or harm. If it were me, I would always work on location with a partner (for your safety and theirs). No one on one, always have another person there with you. Meet at another home or hotel room with background equipment and lights. Don't bring a bunch of strangers parading through your home where you live and keep everything you own. It's just a bad idea. You will either arrive back to a trashed home or worse, have someone visit you with bad intentions. (Are you the A$$Hole Pervert that took pictures of my wife naked!!??)

Sorry, some things aren't worth the risk and you don't owe these people any favors. Don't shortcut this, do it right. There's a reason the pro studios actually have studios. With locks and alarms. It sounds like to me you are moving into the business too fast. Figure out how to go to them and then work your way up to a studio as the business grows.

Yep....I've been quite hesitant to bring anyone to MY house...I was thinking to rent a hotel room or something....maybe something down IN the Quarter....nice rooms, and the girls would be near work..etc?

I dunno.....it is likely going to be after the first of the year before I have time for this...so, will pondering the parameters and logistics...

Thank you to all for the great advice....keep it coming as you think of things...

If you visit The Strobist (http://strobist.blogspot.com/) and read, learn, study, etc you will discover that you can make a lot of venues work. You can make the background disappear or make it work for you based on how you manipulate the light, shutter speed, etc. This might help you adapt to more locations and still impress by keeping the model as the main point of interest in the images. I also really like some of Stephen Eastwood's work, check it out! I bet some of your models would love the look of some of these edgy styles but they are pretty advanced. Definitely something to strive for. http://stepheneastwood.com/

OK, I read though this. All good suggestions. I don't have experience with erotic photography per se but I would offer this common sense advice about location...

Strip clubs are a different world. You live in New Orleans, you should already understand that better than most. Whenever you bring strangers to your home, they know where you live. They also know what you own. You become a target for theft, or worse. What if a shoot goes poorly or a perfectly good shoot pisses off a boyfriend or husband. You're screwed. Re-read the law enforcement inspired post above about what habits these people may (or may not) have. These girls live a rough lifestyle. Even if they are trustworthy, someone they know may not be and after hearing about your place, may decide it's a payday.

If you drive a car with a fancy stereo and people know it, it will eventually be broken into. Same goes for your house/apt with a bunch of photo equipment.

I don't care who you know or how nice they are. Other people they know have the potential to cause you grief, loss or harm. If it were me, I would always work on location with a partner (for your safety and theirs). No one on one, always have another person there with you. Meet at another home or hotel room with background equipment and lights. Don't bring a bunch of strangers parading through your home where you live and keep everything you own. It's just a bad idea. You will either arrive back to a trashed home or worse, have someone visit you with bad intentions. (Are you the A$$Hole Pervert that took pictures of my wife naked!!??)

Sorry, some things aren't worth the risk and you don't owe these people any favors. Don't shortcut this, do it right. There's a reason the pro studios actually have studios. With locks and alarms. It sounds like to me you are moving into the business too fast. Figure out how to go to them and then work your way up to a studio as the business grows.

Yep....I've been quite hesitant to bring anyone to MY house...I was thinking to rent a hotel room or something....maybe something down IN the Quarter....nice rooms, and the girls would be near work..etc?

I dunno.....it is likely going to be after the first of the year before I have time for this...so, will pondering the parameters and logistics...

Thank you to all for the great advice....keep it coming as you think of things...

C

I'm sure that there are photo studios for rent, and they might even include some proper lighting.

If you're on budget and you think you have already some of the lightings that you need, you can also rent some small vacant warehouse or unoccupied small old building. And they're right. Always bring someone with you, preferably, someone whom both of you can trust.